Of Ladles and Poetry

We were privileged to go and spend Sunday evening with the Harrison family. In the midst of the socializing somebody left the Harrison's ladle in our soup. We discovered it in our bowl upon returning home. Joanna used her creativity to alert Mrs. Harrison:

Walking into your house was such a pleasure

To see your smiling faces it was joy beyond measure

We talked, we sang, and we prayed

We ate food that we brought and some that you made.

And then to my surprise out you came with lighted candles

It was so kind and thoughtful that when we left we took a handle

What I am really trying to say…

Is that we took your ladle and hope to return it long before May.

Mrs. Harrison caught on quickly and responded with this:

Oh, what a joy your message was to read,

To delight in the fun of your fine poetic deed.

To remember the sweetness of being in His presence,

To share both in song and prayer filled with reverence,

To eat at the table spread with food and with love,

To laugh and to talk of things below and above,

We hope your return is far sooner than May.

A pleasure it would be to have you any day.

Just bring your smiling faces, each one a gem to us,

But, now, about the ladle, please don't make a fuss!

Add it to your kitchen, this would be our plea,

To have our ladle serving, a privilege it would be.

We have other ladles for serving up the soup,

So may it join the ranks of the Cole family troop.

We can't close this little ditty, before our thanks we share,

For Love's Abiding Joy, your friendship, and your prayer.

Apparently I didn't realize what wonderful poets surround me. We all thought these poems were neat. Now, how do we respond to her last poem with a poem of our own?

Beefy Mushroom Meatballs

2 slices bread, torn
2 T. milk
1 egg, beaten
3 T. finely chopped onion
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 T. butter or margarine
2 T. flour
1 can (10-12 oz.) beef consomme
2 cans (4 oz. each) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 T. dried parsley flakes
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 t. beef bouillon granules
1/2 C. sour cream
Hot cooked noodles, optional
Minced fresh parsley

In a bowl, combine bread and milk. Add the egg, onion, salt and pepper; mix well. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls. In a large skillet, brown meatballs in small batches over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain on paper towels.
In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add consomme; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; add the mushrooms, parsley, Worcestershire sauce and bouillon. Add meatballs; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream. Serve over noodles (or rice, in our case:) if desired. Garnish with parsley.
Yield: 6-8 servings

We (Joanna and I) made this several weeks ago. It was very well received, much to our relief.
In other news, I have been reading a very non-interesting book. The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne is (so far at least) as dry at paste. I've been dubbed in our house as the person that loves slow books. I'm not sure I can handle this one. It doesn't seem to have something I can take away from it and apply to my personal life. I mean, I don't live in a creepy house, and really, my name isn't Hephziba or Phoebe! If you want a good book to read, try these out. I just finished reading most of these in the last couple of weeks.
William Wilberforce: Hero for Humanity by Kevin Belmonte-probably my favorite read thus far in this year. Wilberforce has really inspired me.
The Dogs May Bark, but the Caravan Moves On by Helen Morse-an excellent read about a family dedicated to missionary service over in Asia.
Statesmen and Saint by David Vaughn-another book about William Wilberforce. Please, don't ask me which one I liked better because they're both running neck and neck with each other!
Ishmael Worth by Eden Southworth-this book is one of the best I have ever read on what it means to really be a Christian. No matter how low you are, you never compromise your beliefs. The character Ishmael is the essence of Christian manhood. Don't get me wrong, he's very human. But the book shows his struggles and how he overcomes them-by prayer and the study of Scripture. A truly inspirational book.
The Eyes of the World by Harold Bell Wright-I'm currently reading this one. So far it's very good. HBW is one of my favorites.
So, I can't wait until I am done with Hawthorne's book. Another book you don't want to read is this: The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I wanted to cry at the end because these people have no hope. The Crucible takes place around the Salem Witch Trials. I had to read it for school. This book is worse than The House of the Seven Gables or the Scarlet Letter. It also probably ranks as "most depressing book of the year for Jane Cole."
I'm off to practice music. I'll probably play Tarantella by W.H. Squire, or Impromptu in Ab major by Schubert, or mom might ask me to play the Swan by that French composer. Oh joy!

BTW, thanks for commenting Kathy! You should do that more often. *wink wink* Soli Deo Gloria!

Valentine's Day...and I've Got Someone On My Mind

Well..yesterday was special. I spent the day with my sweetheart. Yes, there we are. Happy birthday sis!
In honor of her birthday, I made special homemade pitas. We're going to eat them tonight for her birthday meal. Here's the recipe.
2 packages dry yeast
2 C. warm water
1/2 t. honey
1/4 C. olive oil
1 T. salt
5 to 6 C. whole wheat flour
cornmeal

Now, I altered the recipe. With our bosch machine I mix the water, honey, olive oil, salt and half of the flour. After that is mixed I add the yeast and the rest of the flour. Then I followed their directions.:)
Shape dough into 8 to 10 balls. Cover and let rest for about 30 minutes.
Using a floured rolling pin, flatten each ball into a circle about 8 inches in diameter and about 1/8 in. thick. Dust 2 baking sheets with cornmeal, place 2 of the circles on each sheet, cover, and let rest for about 30 minutes.
The oven is set for 500 F.-very hot for these little breads, and therein lies the secret. Place 1 sheet on the lowest rack for 5 minutes. Do not open the oven during this first baking. After 5 minutes, transfer the sheet to a higher shelf and let it bake for 3 to 5 more minutes. The breads will puff up and be lightly browned when they're ready.

My first couple of pitas were interesting. One was completely flat, the other was quite puffy. I did figure it out and the rest of the pitas were more promising in the end result. We're all looking forward to celebrating Joanna's birthday this evening. (yes, her birthday was yesterday, but we waited a day because of scheduling difficulties:)

It's almost Valentine's Day!

O tell her, brief is life but love is long.
-Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Latest Sewing Projects

I actually made these awhile back. I'm just now getting to post the photos! It's been so very cold lately, that mom has actually worn Jeff's nightcap more than Jeffrey has himself. The nightcaps do keep your head warm.
I posted these photos to help everyone feel cozy in their pajamas in this freeeeeeeeeeezing weather. I can't wait for spring!